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Councillor’s right to vote
The Supreme Court provided an analysis of councillors’ right to vote and when that right may be restricted. The Court decided it is lawful for standing orders in an authority’s Constitution to restrict voting by committee members on a deferred application for permission to those who had been present at the meeting(s) at which the application had previously been considered. More here.
Broken Homes
Further to London Forum’s notification of the problems of temporary accommodation, MyLondon website has launched a ‘Broken Homes’ campaign to shine light on city’s housing crisis. MyLondon editor Deanne Blaylock said: “Our words have highlighted the plight of many families, from those stuck on housing waiting lists for a decade to people forced to live in mould-infested properties. From Londoners with disabilities trapped in high-rise buildings to those surrounded by walls and ceilings that are quite literally crumbling around them. Their homes are broken, the system [more…]
Mayor’s licensing powers
GLA Deputy Mayors have written to boroughs calling for action in supporting hospitality. The Government has formed a new working group, as described here, to explore how to reduce barriers within the licensing system. To revitalise the capital’s nightlife, a proposal is to grant the Mayor of London new powers to review and potentially overturn licensing applications blocked by local councils. That is of concern if local communities could be adversely affected.
Dave Hill has commented on this for ONLONDON.
DCMS Inquiry: Protecting Built Heritage
We’ve responded to the recent DCMS inquiry on Protecting Built Heritage, the response is posted in the ‘what we’ve said‘ archive as usual, and linked below for your convenience.
London Forum commented on the need for funding for English Heritage and Historic England, the importance of grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the deployment of enough skilled heritage practitioners.
Business waste
The Local Government Association published a report ‘Let’s Do Business Waste’ last September with recommendations. However, there have been more problems with commercial waste littering high streets and Create Streets has issued a ‘Rubbish Refuse’ report with its own proposals for dealing with businesses’ waste bags on pavements which can half the perceived pleasantness of the public realm.
Planning in London, Issue 133, April-June 2025
Issue 133 of Planning in London, the journal of the London Planning and Development Forum, has been released, covering the period April-June 2025. London Forum has an agreed subscription arrangement whereby our members may read it.
The full edition is not available on the website.
Children in temporary accommodation
The report by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on this subject shows over 164,000 homeless children are currently living in temporary accommodation across England. Some families are in such accommodation for years without a settled home offer, due to the chronic shortage of social and affordable housing. London boroughs spend a combined total of £4 million per day on temporary accommodation.
London Councils, representing London’s boroughs, has commented on that as here.
London recycling
The Government has published details on recycling in the capital in 2023-24. It shows London’s poor recycling rate has stagnated for 10 years with wide variations in borough recycling rates from 8% to 52%. In 2022 the GLA issued a Guidance Note on recycling which set a target of 50% by 2025.
CPRE (London) has commented on this in a report here.
London devolution
Leaders of 32 London boroughs have called for “a seat at the table” in a new devolution settlement for the capital, as here. They seek similar devolved arrangements to those in Combined Authorities elsewhere under the English Devolution Bill. Boroughs would then have a direct influence over decisions the Mayor of London currently makes without them.
Richard Brown for ONLONDON has commented on it.
The Government has stated in a White Paper for the Bill that there will be a financial settlement for London “while retaining pre-existing bespoke [more…]
Building Safety Levy
A Building Safety Levy on new development to raise £3.4 billion is planned for Autumn 2026 with regulations published this year. Rates per square metre of floor space based on local house prices will be set per local authority area. There will be rates for previously and non-previously developed land (as defined in the NPPF), e.g. in RBK&C £50.17 and £100.35 respectively and in LB Enfield £22.06 and £44.13.
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has sent a letter signed by over 100 housebuilders to Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for [more…]
Chief Planner’s update
Joanna Averley, the DHCLG Chief Planner issued an update to local authority planners in March 2025. It covered details on new policy and guidance, funding for LPAs, The Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Government’s response to the consultation responses on the Plan Making System.
Climate change and heritage
The Government has released the fourth round of climate adaptation reporting for the heritage sector as here. The report outlines the risks climate change poses to the UK’s historic environment and provides guidance on how heritage organisations can adapt to these challenges. It highlights the need for resilience planning and sustainable conservation strategies.